Deputy sheriff saves ducklings from Santa Venetia water grate, reunites them with mother

A Marin County sheriff's deputy rescued six ducklings after they fell into a storm drain late Tuesday evening on Mark Twain Avenue in Santa Venetia.

San Rafael businesswoman Celeste Parcell said she was walking along the roadway when she noticed that six ducklings had fallen through the drain grate and were making tiny quacking noises. A seventh duckling and the mother duck were nearby.

Parcell flagged down sheriff's Deputy Joe Meesey, who happened to be driving by, and asked if he could help. Meesey removed the grate, assessed the situation and went to a resident's house, asking for a shoe box. He then rigged a duckling rescue device.

"He cut it at one end and wrapped a strap around it and then he lowered it into the hole," Parcell said. "The hole was about 3 to 4 feet deep."

One by one, the ducklings jumped into the box and Meesey raised them to safety. Each quickly ran to be reunited with their mother.

"He was just so wonderful," Parcell said of Meesey, who could not be reached for comment.